As Anna walked into the class room everything went quiet. Kids starred at her, as though they were afraid. Maybe they were. She, however, didn't show any emotion. She just sat in her desk.
Yoh, who was already sitting, glanced at her to see her leaning back in her chair looking down. It looked like she was thinking about something.
Then he noticed something. One her right arm it looked like a bruise was forming. He frowned. Was she hurt?
The teacher coming in interrupted his thoughts.
"Ok class, your going to do a research protect. And yes, you can have partners." Everyone started talking but it ended in a loud groan as he added, "But I'll be choosing who your paired with. Each pair will have a different thing to look up.
"HoroHoro, your with Chocolove-"
"NANI?" HoroHoro shouted.
"Mommy?" HoroHoro's eye twitched before he punch Chocolove in the face.
"NO MORE STUPID JOKES!"
"Souma's with Kumi," the teacher continured, ignoring the two fighting. He named more partners before saying, "Ren, your with Jeanne," Ren glanced at a girl with long silver hair and red eyes. She looked over at him and smiled. He looked away.
"And Anna…San," He added after a glare from her. "You'll be partnered with Yoh."
Yoh's eyes widened a bit and he looked at her. She didn't look happy but…she didn't look that upset either.
"Hao, I have a special assignment for you. Everyone, just get to know your partner until I come back. Hao," The teacher left, Hao stood, sighing.
"Good luck Nii-Chan," Yoh whispered to him. He smirked.
"I think you'll need the luck Otouto." he said before leaving.
Chairs squeaked as kids got up to talk to their friends or partners. Yoh turned to look at Anna, who looked annoyed.
"What's wrong?" he asked. She didn't say anything. "Anna?" she blinked a few times before looking at him.
"What?"
"Um," Yoh felt a blush on his cheeks again. 'Damn it, why is it so hard to talk to her?' he thought. "Um, w-we're - we're partners for the, um, a-assignment." he stammered, looking away, embarrassed.
"Oh," she said. The she frowned. "I don't want to work with anyone, especially a lazy kid like you."
'Ouch, that hurt' "Well, you have no choice so your stuck with me," Yoh grinned. Her eyes narrowed.
"I just insulted you so why are you smiling?" She sounded annoyed. Yoh shrugged.
"I don't let things like that bother me," he said. "All I want is to live an easy life, somewhere in comfort. If I let every little thing bother me that wouldn't be possible."
Shock passed over Anna's face. Who was this kid? Why was he so carefree? She looked away from him. "That's impossible, no one can live an easy life in this world." she said quietly.
Yoh looked surprised at her words. He was used to his friends saying stuff at that but he knew that they thought he could do it. But the way she said it, she said it as though she believe it but also…she sounded sad.
Leaning forward, he asked, "Why do you think that?"
Anna turned to snap something but froze when she saw how close he was. Her cheeks suddenly felt warm.
"Hey, Ren," HoroHoro whispered.
"What?" Ren looked annoyed about something but HoroHoro brushed it off.
"Check it out, looks like Yoh's getting along with Anna," he said, pointing towards them. Ren looked over and sure enough, they were talking like two normal students. As he looked away he heard a loud smack of skin hitting skin.
Anna was standing, her right arm raised. The blush was still there.
Yoh, who was on the ground now, looked shocked as he held his left cheek that was slowly swelling.
Everyone starred as Anna grabbed her bag and ran out of the room, her hair covering her eyes.
Anna leaned against her locker, looking confused. Her hand still sting from the slap she gave Yoh just a few minutes earlier. She just automatically slapped him because he was so close. She wasn't used to people being near her, unless they wanted to-
"No. I can't think about that now," she whispered. If she did, then it would show and who knows if she would stop it. Besides confusion, she felt angry. He kept going on about living an easy life when it's impossible. The times are changing and so were the people. If they saw anything different they would do anything to get rid of it.
And she was living proof.
Matamune was sitting on the roof of the school, enjoying the gentle breeze. Anna had told him to stop coming here but he still came just in case. He had to protect her so he stayed near. The direction of the wind changed and he looked down. Anna was walking out of the school. It must be lunch.
He jumped down and landed lightly beside her. He paused so he was a few steps behind her.
"How was your morning Anna-San?" he asked politely.
"Annoying. Hurry up I'm hungry." she said.
'She seems to be in a better mood' he noted. Anna stopped and looked at him with a cold glare.
They sat under a tree, Matamune reading a book while Anna ate.
Anna's eyes looked towards where Yoh and his friends were sitting.
"An easy life huh…" she mumbled to herself.
R&R
